Pursuing a fifth playoff appearance in six seasons, the Los Angeles Rams are off to a strong start and in a three-way tie atop the NFC West.
However, it seems the Rams (4-2) will be without one of their key players this week after star receiver Puka Nacua sustained an ankle injury in a win at Baltimore last week.
Los Angeles coach Sean McVay labeled Nacua as day-to-day, but the receiver didn’t practice Wednesday and NFL Network reported he is doubtful for the Sunday game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) in London.
“There’s a difference between ‘return to play’ and ‘return to performance,'” McVay said of what would determine Nacua’s status. “You want to put him in a position to have successful outcomes.”
After breaking onto the scene as a rookie in 2023 with 1,486 receiving yards, Nacua leads the league in catches (54) and is second in receiving yards (616) through six weeks this season.
With a bye week coming up after this trip across the pond, a strong case can be made that not playing Nacua this week and giving him three full weeks to recover before the next game is the proper timeline for such a crucial player.
Whether or not Nacua is available, Jacksonville coach Liam Coen knows the challenges presented by a McVay-led team thanks to two stints working on McVay’s staff. He was the Rams’ assistant wide receivers coach in 2018-19 and Los Angeles’ assistant quarterbacks coach in 2020 before returning in 2022 as offensive coordinator.
“You guys know the respect I have for Sean,” Coen said. “… The way he addresses the players, the way that he handles the players, the staff, the coaches from a positive state of mind but also the standards, the demand, the way that he ultimately wants that team to play, it shows up every single week.
“Win, lose or draw, they play hard.”
The Jaguars are looking to bounce back from having their three-game win streak snapped in a 20-12 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week.
There was plenty of blame to go around. The run game managed just 59 yards and the defense failed to force a turnover for the first time this season.
However, the biggest culprit might have been an offensive line that surrendered seven sacks after allowing six total sacks in the first five games.
Los Angeles presents another challenge on that front with 19 sacks, tied for fourth in the league. Linebacker Byron Young ranks second in the league in sacks (7 1/2) and is tied for second in tackles for loss (nine).
The Rams won last week despite managing just 241 yards of offense against Baltimore. Los Angeles’ defensive unit has been solid across the board, as it is third in scoring defense (18.3 points per game), tied for third in takeaways (10) and eighth in total defense (306.8 yards per game).
Jacksonville will be without linebacker Devin Lloyd, who leads the league with four interceptions but didn’t make the trip due to a calf injury. Backup tight end Quintin Morris (groin) also sat out practice on Wednesday while three starters, receiver Dyami Brown (shoulder), center Robert Hainsey (hamstring) and safety Eric Murray (neck), were limited.
Aside from Nacua, running back Blake Corum (ankle) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) missed the Wednesday practice for Los Angeles. Wide receiver Tutu Atwell (hamstring) and linebacker Omar Speights (ankle) were limited after both missed last week’s game. Havenstein was sidelined for the past two contests.
Jacksonville is set for its 14th United Kingdom game over the last 13 seasons. The Jaguars are 7-6 in those contests.
This will be the Rams’ first game in the UK since a 24-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019. Los Angeles is 2-2 overseas.
